David AstramskasAbout the AuthorDavid AstramskasAka VincentDa & RedApples fka Expiredpineapples. My alter-ego is a digital-marketing guy in Houston. Won editing awards & created obsolete flash websites that have been featured in mags like Sports Illustrated. Studied film & women at FSU during the golden age of hip-hop. Collects records, laserdiscs, sports memorabilia & toys. Father of 2 daughters that are more athletic and popular on YouTube.

Wilton Norman Chamberlain rarely is ever picked as the best basketball players of all-time. Even in discussions of most dominant, Shaquille O’Neal gets the nod more often. Most people will use the excuse of the eras he played in but I think it’s because his stats and records are so ridiculous and unattainable by anybody else in NBA history that we have to put an asterisks next to his name and just put him in his own category.

Everything he did belonged in either the Guiness Book of World Records or Ripley’s Believe It or Not books. From his off the court lifestyle (women) to his accomplishments in track & volleyball (ran the 100 yard dash in 10.9 secs and is in the Volleyball hall of fame) and of course on the basketball court, where every NBA legend has a Wilt the Stilt story such as the time he blocked Gus Johnson’s dunk so hard that it dislocated Johnson’s shoulders.

I”m going to list a bunch of “The Big Dippers” stats, records, trivia and then show you his game log from his 1962 season where he scored 100 points. When you are done reading everything, you will probably agree that the center that has never fouled out of a game is the most exceptional player if not athlete of all-time. So why is Wilt not the greatest and most dominant basketball player of all-time. The answer many will reply with is his lack of post season success and championships. Also, despite the respect he has from players and for being known as a philanthropist, he was not the most well liked player, often blasting teammates, official and the NBA in interviews, magazines and books.

71 pt game as a sophomore in High School

Scored 74, 78 & 90 points in 3 consecutive games in High School

42pts and 29rebs in his college debut

Wilt Left college early & sold the story named “Why I am Leaving College” to Look magazine for $10k which was about $1k more than what many NBA players were making

Made $50k playing for the Harlem Globetrotters out of college (NBA didn’t accept underclassmen)

Signed the biggest NBA contract ever at $30k. Bob Cousy made $25k

Won rookie of the year after averaging 38pts and 27rebs and breaking 8 NBA records

Was MVP of the All star game as a rookie with 23pts and 25rebs

2nd season averaged 38pts and 27reb and became the 1st player to pass 3k points and 2k rebounds

Set the NBA record for most rebounds in a game (55) in his 2nd season

In his 3rd season he averaged 50pts and 26rebs which included a 100 point outburst

Averaged 48.53 minutes a game in 1962. A regulation game is 48 minutes

Set NBA All-Star game record with 42pts and 24rebs

Averaged 50pts against Bill Russell and the Celtics in 62 Playoffs

Won MVP in 1966 after leading the league in rebounding and third in assist (8ast). His scoring average was at a career low of 24pts (on 68% fg)

Unofficial quadruple double in gm2 of 1967 playoffs against the Celtics w/ 24pts, 32rebs, 13ast, 12blks (blocks were not officially counted back then)

Grabbed 41 rebounds in the next game (3) & had a triple double in gm5 w/ 29pts 36rebs and 13ast

In 1967 he became the first center to lead the league in assist beating out Lenny Wilkens. He also won the MVP that year

Signed w/ the Lakers for $250k which was 150k more than Jerry West

Won Finals MVP & helped Lakers win their 1st championship in 1972. He had 24pts 29rebs 8ast 8blks in Game 5

Signed with the San Diego Conquistadors for $600k as a player/coach but was not allowed to play because of a lawsuit from the Lakers

Was offered a contract by the Cavs in 1980 when he was 45 and the Nets even offered him a contract when he was 50